OMSI is a museum that is full of natural sciences, physics, and innovation. Though very large with…read morea theater and planetarium, I'd heed the warnings from other Yelp reviews: this museum is for kids!! Not adults!! I truly didn't look at Yelp before buying tickets to the museum and a showing of the planetarium. My fiancé and I finished walking the museum in 30 minutes because it was full of children from camp. We weren't going to play or interact with the museums when children were there and it was sciences we already knew. I was saddened thinking it was a museum for adults. In addition, we absolutely bought the wrong tickets for the planetarium. We ended up at a KPOP Delon Hunters Laser Show. We didn't know what to expect. Whoever made the show did an exceptional job, but we wanted to see something that completely encompasses the entire planetarium. Ultimately, perfect for children. Not adults. The 4 stars is that it is still a great museum.... For children.

I think for the value of the Family Membership, OMSI gets 5 stars. Hot tip, purchase the year-long…read moremembership during Black Friday when it's 20% off and stretch your dollar even further! My kids can spend the whole morning or afternoon here. There's something for everyone, from toddlers to high schoolers, adults and beyond. I always learn something new here too. Bonus, mention that you're a member in the gift shop and get 10% off your purchase.

This was a find on the way to check out the Wildwood Crows. It's a museum that has interesting…read moreitems and Ouija boards themes. You buy your tickets and wait a few minutes to go behind a door. There was a group in front of us. So we waited a minute. Stepping inside was like another dimension. Everything was supernatural themes items. Clowns, werewolves and others. It was quite fun to explore and read about stuff. The front of the store has a lot of items too. Old couches and knick knacks. Old photos and more items. It's quite fun to have a break from Wildwood Crows hunting to explore this museum.

Very fun spot, if you are into "dark" stuff. I know for a fact that this place is haunted. I didn't…read morereally see any paranormal activity myself, but with the items they have on display......yeah, it's haunted. The temperature in the back area was cold, compared to the main entrance which appeared to be warmer. If you know the significance of cold rooms regarding paranormal activity, you know what I'm talking about. There were a lot of interesting displays and fun things to read. The place was not very big, but I still had a good time. The staff was great, the selection was as on pint and the value of place was legit. Check it out if you are into paranormal activity.

I hadn't heard of Respaldiza before. I love the bright colors and use of maps in her work. It's so…read moregood! I'm looking forward to the new exhibit coming to the Portland's Miniature Museum in May.

The cutest little hidden museum right on my dog walk route! Is it a miniature museum or a museum of…read moreminiatures? I'll take either!

The Portland Art Museum sits directly in front of the South Park Blocks, a historic 12-block green…read morespace stretching through downtown Portland. It's a beautiful area within the Cultural District. The museum itself is easy to navigate, it's well-curated, and well-designed. There are several outdoor pavilions - the doors to which are contact free (you just wave to open them). My only complaint is the "All User" bathrooms which lack privacy and feel awkward to use. The Hockey exhibit is worth seeing - as is the Rothko collection, NW, and european collections. The Vancouver Art Museum may want to take note...

This is probably one of the best museums I've been to. I'm surprised it isn't rated higher! The…read moremuseum is large and features a cornucopia of visually stunning and creative art. My favorites were pieces of art creatively combining modern and traditional aesthetics.

If you are looking for a unique experience in Portland, you should definitely visit this museum! It…read morewas in a middle of a residential area, as it was inside a residential house structure. From the moment you step inside, you are surrounded by interesting items that catches your attention. The first floor is more like a workshop with few things you can purchase, like really cool looking postcards. The second floor is where you will gasp over and over again. Every inch of the space was filled with oddities and curiosities. It was honestly so memorable and fun in so many ways. The gentleman owner (and creator) of the museum was very welcoming and friendly. We had such interesting time in this museum!

Oddities galore, a very unique museum! It is inside a house on two floors, but I stayed in there…read morefor almost an hour because it was so different from any museum I've ever been to! Some of the displays made me cringe lol (see photo I posted of a skeleton with two heads in a glass dome from artist Kiyomi Hessling). There were other skeletons by her, hair-raising...

Pittock Mansion viewpoint is absolutely stunning and a place that makes you just stop and stare for…read morea second (or ten). Perched above Portland, it gives you that sweeping city + mountain view that feels almost unreal on a clear day. Fun fact: the mansion was built in 1914 for Henry and Georgiana Pittock, and it played a big role in Portland's early publishing history. Another fun one... it was nearly destroyed in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm but was fully restored, which feels very fitting for something this iconic. Gorgeous, peaceful, and 100 percent worth the stop.

This place is a MUST SEE when visiting Portland! I was shocked by how special and beautiful the…read moremansion and grounds were. If you are interested in interior decor/architecture/history the self guided tour of the mansion is a must! The spaces were beautiful and I learned so much about Portland. The organization who runs the house has done an amazing job maintaining and displaying this magical home. The grounds are also incredible (and free, although parking is paid), and worth seeing just for the view. The gardens are maintained by UofO gardening students and they have done a great job. All together I think we spent about $60 to see the tour and the gardens and it was well worth it. The staff was knowledgeable and loved talking about the homes and the residents! I also appreciate the tour being self guided so we could go at our pace.

A fun interpretive center. We only stopped by the center and didn't go into the museum but enjoyed…read morethe center. The hostess was very helpful and friendly.

We didn't have much time but we really wanted to pop in. We did not enter the museum. We stayed…read moreoutside and enjoyed the free exhibits. Parking is free. Would love to come back in the future to spend more time and enter the museum.

When it comes to Keep Portland Weird, this is the place I think of first and a must see if you like…read moreodd things. They have a quirky collection of oddities and I love the interactive pictures you can take. Make sure to look at every corner high and low. It's a fun use of an hour of your time. Free popcorn too while you peruse the displays. Since the last time I was here they changed out a few of their things which is great. Also make sure to check out their gift shop.

IT'S A PORTLAND TREASURE! You could spend as few as 20 minutes or as long as an hour or more if you…read morewant to look at everything & read all the stuff. There's a greatmust-do selfie -- hanging off a building (spoiler: not really ) and lots of other peculiaria. I think they don't charge admission if you show up in costume, but that may no longer be true?

Been a good few years since I visited the Japanese Gardens, and a lot has changed. But wow if they…read morearen't still worth a visit. The plants and water features are outstanding, and it is such a delight to just wander around and soak it all in. Really, what can I say that hasn't been said by many other visitors? If you aren't captivated by the running water, the intricate rock gardens, or the lovely koi fish, then there is something wrong with you. This is such a gorgeous gem, and a must-see attraction in Portland, especially if you are already wandering around the Washington Park area. Some of the changes in the years since I visited are a whole new entranceway, with an amazing water foundtain. Plus, a redesigned plaza with new gift shop, cafe, and a library. Oh, and speaking of the the cafe, do try out some of the excellent teas and Japanese snacks on offer here. Plus, all the staff and docents working here were very friendly and helpful. As for a few things to be aware of: First, the parking situation is a pain. There are pay-to-park spots, but not enough for the crowds. So you should really plan to either walk over to the gardens from somewhere else in the park, or take the park shuttle service. Also, as some have also noted, the number of people visiting can sort of harsh the serenity a bit. So do your part, and be a courteous visitor, and try to keep things mellow, chill, and quiet enough for others to also enjoy. In a city so full of other gorgeous gardens, I have to say these stand out. It's a city favorite for a reason.

We had a lovely day to visit the Japanese Garden. There is a good amount of walking with stairs…read more(sometimes steep) so if that's not easy for you this might be a challenge. There was a shuttle available to get you up to the top if needed. We had an iced tea at the beautiful Umami Cafe - both the honey lavender spice and the Mugicha were absolutely delicious. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful. Sitting out on the patio was lovely. We kind of wandered the gardens in a big circle. My favorite area was the natural garden. The view of Mt. Hood from the pavilion observation deck was a nice bonus. I think to make the most of your experience you should plan to just meander and enjoy nature, and take your time. It's not a huge property, so you can take time to really soak it all in and still cover it all. We also walked through the rose gardens before we left. We went on a Friday afternoon and it was very challenging to find parking - we parked about a 1/2 mile down the road past the playground, so it was a bit of a hike. By the end of our visit many spots had opened up closer to the garden entrance.